After three years of junior hockey in Winnipeg during the early forties, Cal Gardner entered the military for the duration of World War II.

Fresh out of the service in 1945, he joined the New York Rovers of the EHL. There he joined forces with wingers Rene Trudel and Church Russell to form the "Atomic Line". Together, they seared their way across the league as Gardner netted 73 points in 40 games.

How could New York Rangers GM Lester Patrick resist such prospects? With his club in the dumps, he couldn't. So he brought the Atomic lads to Broadway. Their collective impact, however, was minimal at best and only Gardner survived beyond three seasons.

After a little more than two campaigns in New York, he was sent to the Leafs -- home of the highlights of his career. Over the next four years Gardner, known as "Pearly", notched 163 points in 247 games, made two All-Star game appearances and, celebrated three Stanley Cup victories.

In 1952, he joined the lowly Blackhawks for one season before settling in for the duration with the Boston Bruins.

After leaving the NHL, Gardner bounced around the minors with the Springfield Indians, the Providence Reds, the Cleveland Barons of the AHL and the Kingston Frontenacs of the EPHL.

Years later, Gardner's two sons, Dave and Paul followed their father's path to the NHL.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

+/-

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

1940-41

St. Boniface Canadiens

WJrHL

1941-42

Winnipeg CUAC

WJrHL

9

6

3

9

11

1942-43

Winnipeg Esquires

WJrHL

15

18

9

27

37

6

8

5

13

2

1942-43

Winnipeg Rangers

M-Cup

10

11

3

14

30

1943-44

Port Arthur Navy

TBSHL

10

18

24

42

15

2

5

3

8

4

1943-44

Port Arthur Navy

M-Cup

2

5

2

7

4

1944-45

1945-46

New York Rangers

NHL

16

8

2

10

2

1945-46

New York Rovers

EAHL

40

41

32

73

28

1946-47

New York Rangers

NHL

52

13

16

29

30

1947-48

New York Rangers

NHL

58

7

18

25

71

5

0

0

0

0

1948-49

Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL

53

13

22

35

35

9

2

5

7

0

1949-50

Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL

31

7

19

26

12

7

1

0

1

4

1950-51

Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL

66

23

28

51

42

11

1

1

2

4

1951-52

Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL

70

15

26

41

40

3

0

0

0

2

1952-53

Chicago Black Hawks

NHL

70

11

24

35

60

7

0

2

2

4

1953-54

Boston Bruins

NHL

70

14

20

34

62

4

1

1

2

0

1954-55

Boston Bruins

NHL

70

16

22

38

40

5

0

0

0

4

1955-56

Boston Bruins

NHL

70

15

21

36

57

1956-57

Boston Bruins

NHL

70

12

20

32

66

10

2

1

3

2

1957-58

Springfield Indians

AHL

69

24

57

81

49

13

4

12

16

4

1958-59

Providence Reds

AHL

68

24

39

63

73

1959-60

Kingston Frontenacs

EPHL

65

32

61

93

57

1960-61

Cleveland Barons

AHL

72

25

39

64

24

4

1

0

1

0

NHL Totals

696

154

238

392

517

61

7

10

17

20

Father of Dave and Paul EAHL First All-Star Team (1946) John Carlin Trophy (EAHL - Top Scorer) (1946) AHL Second All-Star Team (1958)
Played in NHL All-Star Game (1948, 1949)

Traded to Toronto by NY Rangers with Bill Juzda, Rene Trudell and the rights to Frank Mathers for Wally Stanowski and Moe Morris, April 26, 1948. Missed majority of 1949-50 due to broken jaw vs. Montreal, November 11, 1949. Traded to Chicago by Toronto with Ray Hannigan, Al Rollins and Gus Mortson for Harry Lumley, September 11, 1952. Traded to Boston by Chicago for cash, June 26, 1953. Named playing coach of Springfield (AHL), July 27, 1957.